Fishing lure

ABSTRACT

An improved fishing lure is disclosed. The improved fishing lure of the present invention emulates a prey fish being hunted by a predator fish and comprises a prey fish lure having a connector line for attaching a predator lure to the improved fishing lure. The connector line is attached to a connector coupler on the prey fish lure and is used to attach a predator lure of the fishermen&#39;s choice to the prey fish. The prey fish lure further includes a leader coupler for connecting a leader line to the improved lure. The size of the prey fish lure and the length of the connector line are selected according to the fishing environment in which the improved fishing lure are to be used. The predator lure selected for use with an improved fishing lure of the present invention should be at least as large as the prey lure.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fishing lures. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved fishing lures for use by game fishermen.

2. Background of the Invention

Fishing lures are well known in the art. A typical conventional fishing lure is shown in FIG. 1. Fishing lure 10 comprises body 12 designed to appear like a particular species of fish having one or more hooks 14 to snare the game fish and leader coupler 16 or similar means to attach the body to a fishing line (not shown in FIG. 1). Lures are typically dragged through the water to mimic the movement of the particular fish being imitated by the lure. Lures may be cast into a body of water and drawn in using a fishing reel to move the lure thereby simulating action of a live bait fish. Alternatively, lures may be dragged behind a boat in a method know as trolling.

Many in the art have sought to design lures having particular characteristics to provide the best illusion that the lure is a real fish. For example, some lures are painted with precise patterns to match the patterns of a particular species of fish. Other lures have moving parts that create disturbance in the water to gain the attention of the game fish. Other lures have fins to better emulate the movement of the fish through the water.

Known lures typically emulate a single fish. The concept behind such lures appears to be that a single fish swimming in the water will appear to the game fish as an attractive prey. Game fish are predatory in nature. Accordingly lures are designed to appear like the natural prey of the fish being sought. In essence known lures and baiting techniques attempt to trick the game fish with the notion of available food as a single prey item.

Some known lures have attempted to emulate schools of fish wherein all of the fish in the school are essentially of the same size and type. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,794,721 to Rowe et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,857 to Hnizdor, disclose such lures. In both cases, the lures disclosed therein emulate a school of smaller fish, such as minnows, swimming through the water. By mimicking the known behaviors of such smaller fish, i.e., swimming in groups, such lures present a plausible bait for the game fish. Further, the game fish may be attracted by the number of fish in the vicinity of the lure and may attempt to catch one of the school.

Known lures and baits, including single lure and school lures have been successful to varying degrees. However, there is a need for an improved fishing lure that has a much greater probability of success in catching larger fish with greater frequency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an improved fishing lure. The improved fishing lure of the present invention emulates a prey fish being hunted by a predator fish. An improved fishing lure according to the present invention comprises a prey fish having a leader coupler and a predator connector coupler; and a connector line attached to the predator connector coupler thereby providing a means for connecting a predator lure to the prey fish. The connector line may be made of any suitable material and the prey fish may be designed to emulate a specific species of fish. A predator fish lure may be attached to the improved fishing lure of the present invention to complete to illusion of a fish being hunted. An embodiment of the present invention also includes a prey lure having one or more joints to allow increased movement by the prey lure to further enhance the illusion of a predator-prey environment.

The size of the prey fish lure and the length of the connector line are selected according to the fishing environment in which the improved fishing lure are to be used. The predator lure selected for use with an improved fishing lure of the present invention should be at least as large as the prey lure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a conventional fishing lure.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein a conventional fishing lure has been adapted to create a prey lure according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of the present invention used in conjunction with a conventional fishing lure.

FIG. 4 shows the first embodiment of the present invention including a tubing to provide rigidity for casting when using monofilament nylon fishing line for the connector line.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a prey lure has been specifically designed according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a first variation of the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a prey lure has been specifically designed according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a second variation of the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a prey lure has been specifically designed according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a system and method for catching larger predatory fish with greatly improved results over known fishing lures and methods. It is believed that the greatly improved fishing results of the present invention can be attributed to the predator/prey instincts of game fish. The present invention provides the illusion to the target game fish that a predator fish is engaged in the hunt for a smaller prey fish. It is believed that the present invention is successful, at least in part, because it provides a vulnerable prey to the game fish being sought.

It is a well-known observation in any predator/prey environment that the prey is most vulnerable when it is engaged in certain life cycle events: courtship, mating, protecting and caring for offspring, and feeding. For example if the prey is engaged in mating it may not be as aware of a predator closing in for the kill. Similarly, when an animal or fish is feeding it may not be focused on any lurking danger from its natural enemies. When a predator is, itself, engaged in seeking its prey, it too becomes more vulnerable to its own natural enemies. That is, while a predatory animal or fish is focused on the hunt, it in turn becomes an easier target for another larger predatory animal or fish. The present invention provides a system and method for emulating a predator fish in close pursuit of its prey. In turn, the predator fish becomes the prey for the game fish.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention comprises prey fish 20 (also referred to herein as “prey lure”) attached to connector line 21 by predator connector coupler 22. Coupling devices for fishing apparatus are well known in the art. Accordingly, predator connector coupler 22 may comprise a split ring as shown in FIG. 2, a snap, a speed clip, or any other suitable coupling device. Connector line 21 may be any suitable cord or wire and is used to connect the prey fish to a predator fish lure. The choice of material for connector line 21 depends on the intended application and the desire to limit costs. For example, it has been found that titanium wire is optimal for casting applications wherein the game fish to be caught are very large. However, titanium is also more costly than other acceptable materials. Stainless steel, which is less costly than titanium, is also suitable. However, it has been found that very large fish may cause kinks in the wire, resulting in frequent breakage. Monofilament nylon, e.g., standard fishing line, may be used and has been found particularly useful for trolling applications wherein the water is clear. Stainless steel and titanium is also suitable for trolling operations wherein the water is either clear or murky.

Connector line 21 includes loop 23 used to attach connector line 21 to the predator lure as shown in FIG. 3. As would be apparent to one of skill in the art, loop 23 may be any connector to facilitate the attachment of a predator lure to a fishing lure apparatus according to the present invention. When connector line 21 is made from titanium a crimped connection such as shown in FIG. 8 is preferable. Crimp 90 holds titanium line 91 to form loop 92. This configuration works better than the standard twisted loop such as shown in FIG. 2, because the flexibility of titanium wiring does not form a tight twist necessary to support the added weight of lures made according to the present invention and the larger fish caught with such lures.

Prey fish 20 further includes leader coupler 24 which is used to attach a fishing line or leader (not shown in FIG. 2) to the prey fish. As known in the art, loop 23 and leader coupler 24 may be any suitable device for attaching one fishing tackle component to another. Further as would be apparent to one skilled in the art, the positioning leader coupler 24 and predator connector coupler 22 on the body of prey fish 20 is a design choice not limited to the positioning shown in the Figures herein.

Prey fish 20 may be any suitable lure adapted as described herein and should be sufficiently smaller in size in comparison to the predator lure (not shown in FIG. 2) to foster the illusion that the prey fish 20 is being hunted by the predator. Notably, prey fish 20 need not have any hooks to catch the game fish. This is so because, as shown in FIG. 3, prey fish 20 is not the prey of the game fish. That is, prey fish 20 is not the object to be caught by the game fish. Prey fish 20 may even be a conventional fishing lure adapted according to the present invention. Instead of having one or more fishing hooks, prey fish 20 is attached to connector line 21, which in turn may be attached to a predator lure of the fisherman's choice. Further, prey fish 20 may optionally include auxiliary attachments such as facetted bead 25 to further attract attention of the game fish. Using a red-colored bead or other attachment (simulating bleeding) further enhances the illusion that prey fish 20 may be wounded as it is being chased by the predator lure. As known in the art, the auxiliary attachment may be any attachment to increase to visibility of the lure thereby attracting the game fish's attention.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein prey fish 20 is attached to predator lure 30 via connector line 21. As shown in FIG. 3, prey fish 20 is sufficiently smaller than predator lure 30. Predator lure 30 includes one or more hooks 32 used to catch the game fish. Predator lure 30 may be any conventional fishing lure so long as it is at least a large as the prey fish. Preferably, the predator lure is at least 20% larger than the prey fish to emphasize the illusion that the predator lure is hunting the prey fish.

As described above, connector line 21 may be made of any suitable material. The increased weight of a fishing lure according to the present invention (due to having dual lures) makes casting somewhat more difficult to manage when using a monofilament connector line. In one variation of the present invention, semi-rigid tubing 40 may be included around connector line 21 as shown in FIG. 4. Such tubing is particularly useful to provide rigidity for casting when using a connector line made of monofilament nylon.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a prey lure has been specifically designed according to the present invention. In this embodiment, prey fish 50 comprises two separate parts, head 51 and tail 52, connected to one another by joint 53. Prey fish 50 is attached to connector line 54 via predator connector coupler 55 which is attached to head 51. Finally, prey fish 50 includes leader coupler 56 on head 51 which is used to attach fishing line 57 to prey fish 50. Joint 53 may be a pair of rings as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, joint 53 may be any suitable means for connecting the head to the tail, such that the two components some range of movement with respect to each other.

FIG. 6 shows a first variation of the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a prey lure has been specifically designed according to the present invention. In this variation, prey fish 60 comprises head 61, body 62 and tail 63 connected by joints 64 and 65 as shown in FIG. 6. Head 61 of prey fish 60 includes coupler 66 used to attach a fishing line (not shown in FIG. 6) and coupler 67 used to attach connector line 68, as shown in FIG. 6. Faceted bead 69 or other attachments may optionally be added to tail 63 or to other points on prey fish 60. As described herein, such attachments may serve to enhance the illusion that the prey fish is wounded and is vulnerable to the predator lure in close pursuit.

FIG. 7 shows a second variation of the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a prey lure has been specifically designed according to the present invention. Prey fish 70, shown in FIG. 7, is essentially the same as prey fish 60 shown in FIG. 6, but illustrates that the couplers 71 and 72 may be placed at different points on head 73 of prey fish 70. As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, variations in positioning of the couplers will cause variations in the manner of the movement of the prey fish through the water in relation to the tension on the fishing line and the predator lure being dragged behind the prey fish.

As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, other design considerations may be important depending on the application. For example, the specific designs or patterns on the prey fish and predator lure may be selected to emulate the same species of fish (one hunting the other). Alternatively, the prey fish may be selected to emulate one species while the predator lure may be selected to emulate a natural enemy of the prey fish. Other design considerations include the specific ratio of the length of the predator lure to the length of the prey lure. The ratio of the length of predator lure 30 to the length of prey fish 20 is optimally 1.2 or greater. However, it has been found that any ratio 1.0 or greater works better for catching more and larger game fish than conventional single lures or school lures.

Another design consideration is the length of the connector line which establishes the distance between the predator lure and the prey fish. The optimal distance between the hunter (predator lure) and the hunted (prey fish) depends on the size of the lure and prey fish as shown in Table 1. Varying lengths of predator lures are identified across the top of Table 1, while varying lengths of prey fish are identified down the first column of Table 1. The body of the table identifies a length of the connector between the two which has been tested for fishing results. While other lengths of connector are workable according to the present invention, the lengths shown in Table 1 have been highly successful for catching game fish. TABLE 1 Connector length as function of prey fish and predator lure lengths (all data in inches) Predator Lure (length in inches) 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10 12 Prey Lure 0.5 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 (length in 1.0 — 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 inches) 1.5 — — — — 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 2.0 — — — — — 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 2.5 — — — — — — 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 3.0 — — — — — — — 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 14 3.5 — — — — — — — 12 12 13 13 14 14 14 14 4.0 — — — — — — — — 12 12 13 13 14 14 14 4.5 — — — — — — — — — 12 12 13 13 14 14 5.0 — — — — — — — — — 12 12 13 13 14 14 5.5 — — — — — — — — — — 12 13 14 14 14 6.0 — — — — — — — — — — 13 14 14 14 14 6.5 — — — — — — — — — — — 13 14 14 14 7.0 — — — — — — — — — — — 13 14 14 14 7.5 — — — — — — — — — — — — 14 14 14 8.0 — — — — — — — — — — — — 14 14 14

The present invention attempts to more closely emulates the optimal environment for catching predatory fish. Predatory fish, like most other preying species, have been observed to be most vulnerable when they are engaged in certain life-cycle events such as courtship, mating, caring for young, defending territories and feeding. It has been noted that many species can be approached and even captured while they are in engaged in such activities. The present invention appears to work well because, a predator fish engaged in the process of preying on a smaller fish is more easily captured by an even larger predator fish. The present invention emulates this optimal scenario by creating the illusion that a small fish is in the process of being preyed upon by a larger predatory fish. This larger predatory fish in thus more vulnerable to attack by an even larger predatory fish. It is the larger predatory fish that is snared by method and system of the present invention.

While the theory as to why the present invention works to increase the size of the fish caught and the frequency of bites when compared to conventional fishing lures appears sound, it is possible that the present invention works due to some other biological or environmental factors not considered herein. The theory of why it works is not an important aspect of the present invention. What is important is that one fishing for game fish using a fishing lure according to present invention will one average catch more fish and will catch larger fish than was likely with a conventional fishing lure.

The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. An improved fishing apparatus comprising a prey fish having a leader coupler and a predator connector coupler; and a connector line attached to the predator connector coupler thereby providing a means for connecting a predator lure to the prey fish.
 2. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector line is made from titanium metal.
 3. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector line is made from stainless steel metal.
 4. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector line is made from monofilament nylon.
 5. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prey fish is at least 0.5 inches in length and the connector line is at least 8.0 inches in length.
 6. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prey fish is at between 0.5 inches and 8.0 inches in length and the connector line is between 8.0 inches and 14.0 inches in length.
 7. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a predator lure attached to a distal end of the connector line, wherein the predator lure includes hooks for catching a game fish and wherein a ratio of a length of the predator lure to a length of the prey fish is at least 1.0.
 8. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ratio of the length of the predator lure to the length of the prey fish is at least 1.20.
 9. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ratio of the length of the predator lure to the length of the prey fish is at least 1.50.
 10. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ratio of the length of the predator lure to the length of the prey fish is between 1.2 and 12.0.
 11. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 7, wherein the prey fish and the predator lure have the same species markings thereon.
 12. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 7, wherein the prey fish and the predator lure have different species markings thereon.
 13. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary attachment attached to the prey fish further attract a game fish's attention.
 14. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 13, wherein the auxiliary attachment attached to the prey fish is at least one faceted bead.
 15. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one faceted bead is red in color.
 16. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 13, wherein the auxiliary attachment attached to the prey fish is a string of multiple faceted beads.
 17. An improved fishing lure comprising: (a) a prey fish having a leader coupler and a predator connector coupler; (b) a predator lure having at least one hook mechanism and a prey connector coupler; and (c) a connector line; wherein the connector line is attached at a first end to the predator connector coupler and attached at a second end to the prey connector coupler thereby connecting the prey fish to the predator lure.
 18. The improved fishing lure of claim 17, wherein the prey fish is sufficiently smaller in size than the predator lure to create an illusion that the prey fish is being hunted by the predator lure.
 19. The improved fishing lure of claim 17, wherein the predator lure is at least 20% greater in size than the prey fish.
 20. The improved fishing lure of claim 17, wherein the prey fish further includes a first set of species markings and the predator lure includes a second set of species markings.
 21. The improved fishing lure of claim 17, wherein the first and second sets of species markings are related to the same species.
 22. The improved fishing lure of claim 17, wherein the first and second sets of species markings are related to different species.
 23. An improved fishing lure apparatus comprising a prey fish having a head and a tail, wherein the head and the tail are attached to each other via a joint, and wherein the head includes a leader coupler and a predator connector coupler; and a connector line is attached to the predator connector coupler thereby providing a means for connecting a predator lure to the prey fish.
 24. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 23, wherein the connector line is made from titanium metal.
 25. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 23, wherein the connector line is made from stainless steel metal.
 26. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 23, wherein the connector line is made from monofilament nylon.
 27. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 23, wherein the prey fish is at least 0.5 inches in length and the connector line is at least 8.0 inches in length.
 28. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 23, wherein the prey fish is at between 0.5 inches and 8.0 inches in length and the connector line is between 8.0 inches and 14.0 inches in length.
 29. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a predator lure attached to a distal end of the connector line, wherein the predator lure includes hooks for catching a game fish and wherein a ratio of a length of the predator lure to a length of the prey fish is at least 1.0.
 30. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 29, wherein the ratio of the length of the predator lure to the length of the prey fish is at least 1.20.
 31. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 29, wherein the ratio of the length of the predator lure to the length of the prey fish is at least 1.50.
 32. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 29, wherein the ratio of the length of the predator lure to the length of the prey fish is between 1.2 and 12.0.
 33. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 29, wherein the prey fish and the predator lure have the same species markings thereon.
 34. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 29, wherein the prey fish and the predator lure have different species markings thereon.
 35. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 23, further comprising an auxiliary attachment attached to the prey fish further attract a game fish's attention.
 36. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 35, wherein the auxiliary attachment attached to the prey fish is at least one faceted bead.
 37. An improved fishing lure apparatus comprising a prey fish having a head, a body and a tail, wherein the head is attached to the body at a first joint and the body is attached to the tail at a second joint, and wherein the head includes a leader coupler and a predator connector coupler; and a connector line is attached to the predator connector coupler thereby providing a means for connecting a predator lure to the prey fish.
 38. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 37, wherein the prey fish is at least 0.5 inches in length and the connector line is at least 8.0 inches in length.
 39. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 37, wherein the prey fish is at between 0.5 inches and 8.0 inches in length and the connector line is between 8.0 inches and 14.0 inches in length.
 40. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a predator lure attached to a distal end of the connector line, wherein the predator lure includes hooks for catching a game fish and wherein a ratio of a length of the predator lure to a length of the prey fish is at least 1.0.
 41. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 40, wherein the ratio of the length of the predator lure to the length of the prey fish is at least 1.20.
 42. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 40, wherein the ratio of the length of the predator lure to the length of the prey fish is at least 1.50.
 43. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 40, wherein the ratio of the length of the predator lure to the length of the prey fish is between 1.2 and 12.0.
 44. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 40, wherein the prey fish and the predator lure have the same species markings thereon.
 45. The improved fishing lure apparatus of claim 40, wherein the prey fish and the predator lure have different species markings thereon.
 46. An improved fishing lure apparatus comprising a prey fish lure means for emulating a fish being hunted by a predator; a predator lure means for emulating a fish in the process of hunting a prey; and a means for connecting the predator lure means to the prey fish lure means. 